I reviewed 21 prepared foods from Sam’s Club to see how they stack up against the competition.
From ready-to-bake dinners to quick lunches, here is the ultimate taste test ranking to help you decide what is actually worth your money.
Contents
New Finds: Soups, Sides & Appetizers
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
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Taste Test: A standout soup that rivals Panera Bread. It is incredibly creamy, rich, and “blessed” with dairy. The broccoli chunks are the perfect size (not too mushy, a little crunch), and it has a nice sharp cheddar flavor without tasting overly processed.
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Score: 8/10
Baked Potato Soup
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Taste Test: A disappointment compared to the broccoli cheddar. It tastes like standard canned “chunky” soup with a metallic aftertaste. The potatoes are starchy/crunchy, and the bacon bits feel processed and artificial.
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Score: 2/10
Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip
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Taste Test: These are excellent—soft on the inside, not dry, and taste very fresh from the air fryer. The cheese sauce is “complete trash” in the best way possible (processed, sweet, tangy, and perfect for dipping).
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Score: 9/10
Cheese Puff Pastries
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Taste Test: A boneless bakery item that tastes like a high-quality cheese danish. The filling is a light, barely sweet cheesecake style, surrounded by buttery, flaky, crisp pastry with sugar crystals.
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Score: 10/10
Cherry Jalapeno & Gouda Meatballs
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Taste Test: Described as the “worst thing tried all week.” The cherry flavor is overwhelming and sweet (like fruitcake), which clashes horribly with the meat. The texture is like candied fruit inside a meatball.
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Score: 1/10
Mini Chicken & Cheese Tacos (Don Miguel Brand)
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Taste Test: Found in the frozen/prepared section. They are crispy and have a nice tangy “hot sauce” zest to them. The chicken texture is a bit pasty (typical for frozen taquitos), but they are a solid snack.
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Score: 6/10
New Finds: Entrees & Meats
Member’s Mark Pork Ribs – ~$13.00
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Taste Test: While the sauce is decent (tangy, sweet, cherry notes), the texture is a failure. The meat is tough, not “fall-off-the-bone,” and described as eating a “barbecued eraser.”
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Score: 2/10
Margherita Pizza
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Taste Test: A surprise hit. Unlike many bland margarita pizzas, this one has a nice “greasy” richness (in a good way) and a brick-oven style char on the crust. The marinara is flavorful with Italian herbs, and the pesto dollops add a nice punch.
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Score: 8.5/10
Potato Au Gratin
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Taste Test: The crispy cheese topping is incredible, and the potatoes are tender. However, the béchamel sauce lacks flavor—it tastes like plain heavy cream with no seasoning, salt, or garlic.
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Score: 5/10
Chicken Pot Pie
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Taste Test: The crust is golden, buttery, and slightly sweet (pastry-like), which is a plus. However, the filling is a letdown; the chicken is rubbery, and the sauce has an odd “Miracle Whip” tang to it.
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Score: 3.8/10
Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Kit
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Taste Test: A mixed bag meal kit.
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Bao Buns: 10/10 (Soft, fluffy, great pork filling).
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Chicken Bowl: Good (Real chicken thighs, nice teriyaki sauce).
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Dumplings: 2/10 (Doughy, watery ginger filling).
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New Finds: Desserts & Bakery
Key Lime Pie
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Taste Test: Perfection. It isn’t too tart or sour; it tastes like thick, sweet condensed milk with a strong lime flavor. The crust has a delicious graham cracker and nut flavor.
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Score: 10/10
Caramelized Banana Pecan Loaf
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Taste Test: Tastes like fresh, homemade banana bread. The top layer is the star, featuring a caramelized brown butter glaze with salty pecans that balances the sweetness.
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Score: 9/10
Cookie Dough Brownies
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Taste Test: A letdown. The brownie tastes like weak chocolate cake with no richness, and the cookie dough on top tastes like a cheap, soft-baked cookie.
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Score: 2/10
Yule Log Cake (Seasonal)
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Taste Test: A holiday winner. The chocolate cake is moist, and the filling is marshmallow fluff (light and cloudy) rather than heavy frosting, making it delightful.
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Score: 8.5/10
Second Opinions: “Controversial” Items
The new review strongly disagreed with the first reviewer on these items.
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Italian-Style Herb Grilled Chicken Breast
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First Review: 9/10 (Praised for being tender, juicy, and great for meal prep).
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Second Review: 4/10 (Criticized for an overwhelming rosemary flavor that tasted like “eating a rug” and simple lemon-oil seasoning).
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Stuffed Peppers
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First Review: 9/10 (Loved the filling and value).
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Second Review: 6/10 (Liked the meaty filling but hated the pepper itself, suggesting the filling should be eaten separately).
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